March Madness....

Happy First Day of March!

It is definitely March Madness around our house and I'm not talking about basketball either!  Our March Madness is all the little projects I have going on at one time.  So for the month of March it is all about completion, not starting anything new until I have completed what is already in the works.  Incase you are just joining us, here's an update:

Buffy the beautiful Buffet and the Twins:

Yes they all have names.  So far these babies have been wiped down with a good cleaner, vacuumed out and had all their doors and hardware removed, I was shocked at how much Buffy sparkled after a good cleaning!  For the moment they are awaiting a good sanding and removal of Buffy's laminate covering.  Since our garage is the hub for all our refurbing, and it is not heated, the process has been on hold.  As much as I want to get it done a 20 degree workspace is not my idea of fun...BRRRRR.  Unfortunately the living room decor is on hold until these 3 are complete, so there is certainly incentive to getting them done!

Dining Room Curtains:

Yes, I have been trying to get to the dining room curtains since we moved in!  The fabric has been purchased, now it's just a matter of getting them done!

Spice Jars:

With some projects you learn what NOT to do, well the spice jars have been one of those.  The jars are just about done, however I managed to ruin 4 of the lids, it was a bit of a spray painting tragedy but more on that later.  Not to worry, I did find replacement lids and they are currently drying.  SO once the lids are finished these babies will only need the final coat of sealer and then they will officially be done :)

Gallery Wall:

This ones been in the works since before we moved...OUI!  We have so many great pictures from our family photo shoot this past fall that is has been near impossible to decide on just a few.  After 5 months I think I finally have it down, now I just need to finish the frames!

Easter Decor:

It's March, time for Valentines to pack up and Easter to move in!  Spring is on it's way :)

Master Bedroom Overhaul:

Our Master Bedroom has been going through an identity crisis since last Summer.  As much as I have had my heart set on a yellow and grey color pallet, it just doesn't jive with the paint color in our rental or our bed frame.  Since I am not getting rid of either anytime soon, the color scheme has been turned on it's head.  I am pretty excited!

Guest Bathroom Beautification:

Presently this is a clean slate, OOOOO I love a clean slate!  I am challenging myself to decorate this little area with as much existing decor as possible.  The storyboard is almost complete, so we'll just see what I end up with!

So there ya go, my own personal MARCH MADNESS.  Let's just see where I end up when all is said and done, 30 days and lots of projects.  How about you, what do you have planned for March?

Blessings,
hj

Fabulously Refurb...the twins!

Every now and then I stumble on a bargain that absolutely amazes me.  Meet the twins...er, well, one of the twins (forgot to photograph them together)...

I was actually going to check out a dining room table when I was introduced to these 2 beautiful end tables.  While on the surface they are in need of some love, they are well crafted pieces of furniture.  They also hold a secret, they have hidden storage (those are faux drawer fronts)....

 OH do you just love that!  They also have dual faux fronts on both ends so they can be turned either way.  And don't you just love the Hepplewhite hardware!

But perhaps the best part of all...they were $5 each...yep $10 for both!  I have had the twins for about a year now and just couldn't decide what to do with them, however with the recent addition of the buffet, all three pieces will coordinate.  EEEEEE, I am so excited!

 Stay tuned for the progress!

Fabulously Refurb...Buffet

Say hello to my beautiful new buffet, isn't she pretty....

well she will be when I'm done with her :).  For years I have been on the hunt for a buffet, but never could find a piece under $100.  So imagine my delight when I saw this beauty on Craigslist for $30!  The moment I saw this piece in person I was in love and since she needs a little facelift I was able to get her for only $25!  WOW!  The picture doesn't do her justice, she has 2 side doors with shelves inside, 3 deep middle drawers and one very L-O-N-G drawer across the top.  Goodness, just talking about her makes me so excited!  And the plans for refurb....ooooo you will just have to stay tuned for that one!

Scripture Frame...

Normally you would find all my DIY projects on my craft blog, however due to reasons I am completely unaware of, my craft blog has completely disappeared.  While I attempt to locate said missing blog, you can catch all my craft, cooking, refurbing, repurposing and creativity here.

Now that we got that out of the way, back to the blog at hand:

One of my favorite decorated rooms in our house would have to be our main bathroom.  I have had the decor the same for years because I truly love the colors, flow and feel.  But this past week I noticed a blaring empty spot.  Since the decor was originally set for our seminary apartment, and our currently rental is a good deal larger, the dreaded "empty spot" was bound to happen.

Does that just bother you as much as it does me?  The poor "J" seem's so lonesome all by it self.  After a short period of contemplation I decided I would really like to have a scripture memory board in the empty spot.  In order to make the memory board I needed to be sure I used items I had on hand and those items needed to match the current pictures I had originally made when I decorated the bathroom (shown below).

After hunting through the craft room I found a picture frame with glass I had purchased from a yard sale for .50 cents.  The frame was a dark dark cherry wood, but after a bit of spray paint and a little smudging to antique it, I ended up with this:

OOOO, AHHHH so pretty!  After a short period of admiring I pulled out the fabric I had used when I made the bird pictures above.  I cut out a coordinating piece and attached it to cardboard with fabric glue.

You can see the original frame color as I decided not to waist paint on the back.  Once the fabric was attached, I assembled the frame and added a scripture with a dry erase marker.  

I L-O-V-E my little scripture frame and once it took its place in the empty spot I was down right giddy!

The camera didn't quite pick up the white (booo for bad yellow lighting!), but it does stand out very well!  The best part, I found a pack of dry erase markers, 6 total, at staples for $1!  I love the fact that I will be able to change the scripture each week to match what we are studying.  

So how about you, have you made anything fun this week?

Dear Well-intentioned...

...Business man on the airplane who scoffed at my crying 6 week old,
...Breast feeding mom who implied I was a selfish mother for using formula,
...Lady at the MVD who scolded me and implied I didn't know how to discipline my 12 month old,
...Elderly couple who remarked about my child not having a winter hat on,
...Young mom who implied I was abusing my child for giving him vaccinations,
...Man in the mall who made note of my shoeless child and bad parenting because of it,
...Mom with her teenage son who yelled at me in the parking lot for not putting my cart in the corral,


While I'm sure you are a very nice individual, with very good intentions, I'm sure you didn't realize...


...this was my first flight with an infant ever.
...my baby is adopted, breastfeeding was not an option.
...I had been there for 3 hours, missing his nap time.
...I drove 35 hours to move and his hat was buried in the back seat.
...I did my homework and made an educated decision.
...he had just taken them off.
...I had a toddler in his car seat and didn't want to leave him alone.


You see I am new mom and while I make mistakes I am striving each day to take good care of my baby.  So please have patients and grace for me, I am doing the best job I know how.


Sincerely,
New Mom

Sweet 16...

My Precious Little Man,

Today you turn 16 months old, WOW!  I look at that number and wonder where time has gone.  It just doesn't seem possible that you are growing so fast.  I feel as though I blink and another month has flown by.  I am amazed at all the things you are doing and saying.  You repeat so many words we say, which means mommy and daddy have to watch what they say.  You love to climb, run and play chase each night before bed.  You are so active and yet I am amazed how you will just sit in my lap, completely still, while I read to you.  You love to be read to!  You are a smart little man, constantly trying to figure out how things work and how to take apart everything you touch.  You love music and balls more than anything else.  You sing and dance all the time,  I just love hearing you sing Jesus Loves Me with mommy each night.

You love to talk and you are saying so many new things in your own little way:
"Bou" = Ball
"Backit Bou" = Basketball
"Boot Bou" = Football
"Poon" = Spoon
"Pone" = Phone
"Iee" = Hi
"Whoa" = Hello
"Jaedee" = Jaedy :) Your learning your name
"Papa" = Grandpa, Grandma's not to happy about that one :)
"Thant Chu" = Thank you
"Besh Chu" = Bless you
"Down"
"Dedus" = Jesus, Mommy LOVES hearing you say that!
You also are learning to say your auntie and uncles names, I have to say "megan" is my favorite so far :).

Today you shocked mommy when you strung words together in a sentence for the first time, not once but twice.  I asked you if you wanted to call daddy and you said "Dadee phone, okay" and shook your head yes.  You sure do love your daddy, or "Dadeeeeee", so much.  You light up every time you hear his voice, even if it is just on the phone.  You even said "Wuv You" to daddy for the first time as he left for work this morning, it made his day and mine :).

January you made a big move to New York with mommy and daddy.  You rode 35 hours in the car, passed through 6 states, stayed in 3 hotels and saw alot of neat things along the way.  Through it all you were a champ!  Mommy loved playing hide and seek with you in the mirror or seeing you wave to people driving by.  You have experienced alot in the past month and you have brought more joy than you can possibly know.  Jesus has used you, little one, in ways you do not comprehend.

I feel like time is passing so quickly and I do my best to cherish each moment with you. Nightly I am reminded how blessed I am that Jesus has given me another day to be your mommy.  As much as I love seeing you grow, I wish time could slow down.  I know before long you will be all grown up and I hope you will always know how much mommy loves you.  There are times mommy will make mistakes but I hope you never forget my love, I will:

Always read to you
Always hold you hand
Always kiss your boo boo's
Always dry your tears
Always sing you to sleep
Always dance with you
Always listen
Always answer when you ask why
Always be your biggest fan
Always cheer you on
Always discipline you
Always teach you to be gentle and polite
Always laugh with you
Always spur you on to Jesus
Always be there for you
Because I will always be your mommy!

So happy 16 month birthday my precious gift, my little love!   Keep growing, but not to fast.

Love ALWAYS,
Mommy

Sweet 16...

My Precious Little Man,

Today you turn 16 months old, WOW!  I look at that number and wonder where time has gone.  It just doesn't seem possible that you are growing so fast.  I feel as though I blink and another month has flown by.  I am amazed at all the things you are doing and saying.  You repeat so many words we say, which means mommy and daddy have to watch what they say.  You love to climb, run and play chase each night before bed.  You are so active and yet I am amazed how you will just sit in my lap, completely still, while I read to you.  You love to be read to!  You are a smart little man, constantly trying to figure out how things work and how to take apart everything you touch.  You love music and balls more than anything else.  You sing and dance all the time,  I just love hearing you sing Jesus Loves Me with mommy each night.

You love to talk and you are saying so many new things in your own little way:
"Bou" = Ball
"Backit Bou" = Basketball
"Boot Bou" = Football
"Poon" = Spoon
"Pone" = Phone
"Iee" = Hi
"Whoa" = Hello
"Jaedee" = Jaedy :) Your learning your name
"Papa" = Grandpa, Grandma's not to happy about that one :)
"Thant Chu" = Thank you
"Besh Chu" = Bless you
"Down"
"Dedus" = Jesus, Mommy LOVES hearing you say that!
You also are learning to say your auntie and uncles names, I have to say "megan" is my favorite so far :).

Today you shocked mommy when you strung words together in a sentence for the first time, not once but twice.  I asked you if you wanted to call daddy and you said "Dadee phone, okay" and shook your head yes.  You sure do love your daddy, or "Dadeeeeee", so much.  You light up every time you hear his voice, even if it is just on the phone.  You even said "Wuv You" to daddy for the first time as he left for work this morning, it made his day and mine :).

January you made a big move to New York with mommy and daddy.  You rode 35 hours in the car, passed through 6 states, stayed in 3 hotels and saw alot of neat things along the way.  Through it all you were a champ!  Mommy loved playing hide and seek with you in the mirror or seeing you wave to people driving by.  You have experienced alot in the past month and you have brought more joy than you can possibly know.  Jesus has used you, little one, in ways you do not comprehend.

I feel like time is passing so quickly and I do my best to cherish each moment with you. Nightly I am reminded how blessed I am that Jesus has given me another day to be your mommy.  As much as I love seeing you grow, I wish time could slow down.  I know before long you will be all grown up, but I hope you will always know how much mommy loves you.  There are times mommy will make mistakes but I hope you never forget my love, I will:

Always read to you
Always hold you hand
Always kiss your boo boo's
Always dry your tears
Always sing you to sleep
Always dance with you
Always listen
Always answer when you ask why
Always be your biggest fan
Always cheer you on
Always discipline you
Always teach you to be gentle and polite
Always laugh with you
Always spur you on to Jesus
Always be there for you
Because I will always be your mommy!

So happy 16 month birthday my precious gift, my little love!   Keep growing, just not to fast.

Love ALWAYS,
Mommy